Joseph Aloysius Lyons was born in 1879 and gave first glimpse of his potential when he became a schoolmaster in Tasmania. It was here that he met his future wife Enid Muriel in 1915. In 1909 he became a Labor member of state parliament, and subsequently a minister from 1914 to 1916. He was a fierce opponent of conscription, and became leader of the opposition in 1916.

In 1923 Lyons became premier of Tasmania, an office he held until 1928. During this time he tried with limited success to modernise the State and its policies. In 1929 he moved to Federal politics and was a staunch upholder of the Labor "responsible" policies.

Following a difference of political ideals, Lyons broke from the Labor Party and formed the United Australia Party. During his time with the party he was prime minister from 1932 to 1939, popular for his no nonsense, no frills policies. He died in office in 1939.

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